Merlin - Hero

By Allyson

(A/N – Sort of an alternative scene to the season 2 final episode. BBC Wales owns Merlin, not me.)

The sound of footsteps rushing around slowly disturbed the black haze surrounding him. His forehead folded into a frown.

The clash of metal against armoured scales, the flash of a sword against mottled dragon hide. The searing jolt of his wounded shoulder was numbed by the desperate realisation that there were no more chances. He was going to die.

Water dripped distractedly nearby. Thump, thump, crash. His nose twitched.

Glancing over his shoulder to make sure no-one else was in danger, he failed to avoid the stunning blow aimed his way. Suddenly, his feet had left the ground and he found himself skidding across the grass on his back. He braked to a halt when his head hit the ground with a painful bang.

His eyelashes fluttered. Someone cleared their throat and soft talking irritated his ear.

He heard his name shouted as if from a great distance. Then a familiar figure stepped in front of him. His heart sank as his vision dimmed. After everything he had done, he'd failed to protect his friend . . .

His fingers spasmed.

Silence.

And then a voice he knew he would hear first, "Arthur?"

Arthur opened his eyes enough to find Merlin hovering anxiously over him. Over Merlin's shoulder, Arthur realized that he was back in Camelot, in his own room, and Gaius was also hovering in the background.

"What happened?" croaked Arthur, groggily, wincing as he put a hand to his head. His eyes widened, "The dragon-"

Merlin grinned. "You did it," he said, a bit too enthusiastically. "The dragon is dead. You dealt it a mortal blow."

Arthur narrowed his eyes at his manservant, his memories clicking back into place. Before Merlin could anticipate his actions, Arthur grabbed hold of his neckerchief and pulled him down low enough to growl in his ear, "Don't ever do that again."

Merlin's eyes were wide with panic. "Do what?"

Arthur's eyes flashed a warning before he released his grip and allowed Merlin to sit back. "Try to be a hero," he replied.

This time Merlin's grin was more natural, "I'll try."

The End